JOHN W. STOCKS, proprietor of Burr-Oak Grove Stock Farm, lives on section 7, in Harlem Township. As his name indicates, Mr. Stocks is of sturdy English descent. His parents were David and Jane (Shelton) Stocks, the father being born in Derbyshire, and the mother in Leicestershire, England. After their marriage they concluded to start life in a new country, and came to America, arriving here about 1841. Philadelphia was the scene of their first habitation, where David found work at his trade, that of an iron-molder. He did not remain long in Philadelphia, however, but soon removed to Hollidaysburg, Blair Co., Pa., and subsequently to Martinsburg, where he lived until he came to Illinois, in April, 1850, settling in Harlem Township, Stephenson County. He worked for a while at his trade in Freeport, his family living in Harlem Township, where he also carried on agricultural pursuits. He cultivated his farm until the spring of 1878, when he removed to Eleroy, Ill., where he resided until his death, March 16, 1887. His widow still survives. They had six children - Henry W., John W., Mary E., Levi, Lettie J. and Clara B. Henry W. resides in Eleroy; Mary E. is the wife of Thomas E. Coltman, and resides in Freeport; Levi resides in Nashua, Iowa; Lettie J. is the widow of Isaac R. Wagner, and lives in Harlem Township; Clara B. is the wife of John Brandt, and also resides in Harlem Township.

John W., the subject of this biographical sketch, was born in Hollidaysburg, Blair Co., Pa., Dec. 22, 1842. He received a limited education in the district schools. He never attended college, but being of studious habits and a close observer, he obtained a practical knowledge that has served him in good stead. He came with his parents to Stephenson County, Ill., and lived at home until his marriage, in 1871. After that event he settled in Erin Township on a farm which he bought, and where he continued to live until 1878, when he sold it. He then took the old farm of his father, where he has since resided. Here he has 204 acres of finely improved land, and besides this, has a tract of 320 acres in Emmet County, Iowa. He gives his attention principally to raising blooded and imported stock, among the breeds which he handles being the English Draft, Clydesdale and Cleveland Bays. He also raises some fine Short-horn cattle.

Our subject was married in Waddams Township, Feb. 20, 1871, to Miss Susan A. Wagner, daughter of Samuel S. and Anna (Rothermel) Wagner, who was born in Northumberland County, Pa. The wife's parents came to Stephenson County about 1856, and are residents of Harlem Township. They had ten children - Mary, Sarah, Nathan, Joel, Rebecca, Louisa, Susan, Isaac, William and Samuel. Mary is the wife of Abraham Pound, and resides in Iowa; Sarah is the wife of Daniel Fager, and resides in Nebraska; Nathan died in infancy; Joel was a member of the 93d Illinois Regiment, was fatally wounded in the battle of Missionary Ridge and died in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 1, 1863; Rebecca resides at home; Louisa is the wife of Henry Hartzell, and lives in Nebraska; Isaac was killed by lightning in Harlem Township, May 9, 1886; William resides in Harlem Township; Samuel resides in Los Angeles, Cal.

Mrs. Stocks was born in Northumberland County, Pa., Sept. 8, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Stocks have seven children - Clara M., J. D., Nellie, Laura L., Harry B., Bessie L., and Ruth F. Mr. Stocks has held the office of Supervisor of Harlem Township two years, and has also been a School Director both in Erin and Harlem Townships. Both he and his wife attend the United Brethren Church. In politics, Mr. Stocks is a Republican, confessing to a predilection for Hon. James G. Blaine for President of the United States. While mentioning Mr. Stock's public career, it is well to note that he has taught school seven terms in Harlem Township, for one term has been an Assessor of the same township, and has been and is Superintendent of the Sunday-school at Eleroy.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 566